PSA Sines, the Portuguese subsidiary of port operatorPSA International, will for the first time venture into automated rubber-tyred gantry crane (aRTG) systems with the purchase of six Konecranes electric-powered aRTGs for the Port of Sines.

PSA Sines invests in automated rubber-tyred gantry cranes for the first time

The cranes will be delivered in Q1 2024.

The new aRTGs will have the capability to stack up to five containers, instead of only three with straddle carriers.

Konecranes said the new cranes will improve efficiency, performance predictability and safety at PSA Sines as well as support the terminal’s expansion plans. When its new phase is completed, the terminal will increase its annual handling capacity from 2.3 to 4.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Truck handling and exceptions will be managed via a Remote Operating Station (ROS) for increased safety, by minimising man-machine interaction, said Konecranes.

“This equipment is PSA Sines’ first venture into automated yard equipment,” said Balachandran Krishnamurthi, director (projects) at PSA Sines. “We need a supplier with the experience, service support and know-how in automating the truck lanes and yard stacking operations.

“It is also essential that the supplier can integrate their equipment with our in-house Equipment Control System. Konecranes is able to give us the confidence in their ability to meet our needs,”

“Our collaboration with PSA Sines is an excellent example of Konecranes’ path to port automation, where container terminals improve productivity and safety in manageable steps. From smart features to full automation, the path can include supervised operations, to remote operations, to smoothly introduce the power of automation,” said Jussi Sarpio, director, automated yard cranes, Port Solutions, Konecranes.

The equipment will contribute towards PSA Sines’ sustainable goals by reducing its carbon footprint.

The Port of Sines is the only terminal in Portugal with the capacity to receive the world’s largest container vessels.

Konecranes’ group sales totalled €3.4bn in 2022.

PSA Sines invests in automated rubber-tyred gantry cranes for the first time